The first few times I experienced a panic attack, I believed I was having a heart attack. I had chest pains, could barely catch my breath and was overcome with inexplicable fear. I had an overwhelming urge to run as fast as possible and to thrash my arms around, much as you might want to do if you came face to face with a wild lion or some other danger in the environment. There was no lion, nor was there any other apparently reason for the incident...